Bhagalpur: The district administration has banned playing of disc jockeys (DJs) during Durga Puja immersion processions and made licences mandatory for puja pandals and processions as part of measures to ensure peaceful celebrations and maintain communal harmony.The decisions were taken at a district peace committee meeting chaired by DM Alankrita Pandey at Samiksha Bhawan on Thursday. SSP Pramod Kumar Yadav, senior officials and representatives of puja committees also attended it.The meeting discussed road repairs, sanitation, lighting at immersion ghats, cleaning of Gangta Pond, traffic management, surveillance of anti-social elements, deployment of women police personnel and barricading at immersion ghats. They also decided to install CCTV cameras at major pandals and important roads.Pandey directed officials to coordinate with puja committees and asked Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation to ensure spraying of bleaching powder and lime around puja sites and timely garbage removal, preferably at night.Puja committees were asked to ensure that vendors and carts do not obstruct the movement of fire tenders, ambulances and administrative vehicles. Decorative string lights should be installed at a minimum height of 16 feet to facilitate traffic movement.The DM also asked committees to prepare layouts and action plans for pandals. Volunteers should carry photo identity cards and badges, while at least two to three volunteers should remain at pandals during night hours.The SSP said adequate police personnel, including static and mobile teams, would be deployed around pandals and on roads. One-way traffic arrangements would be introduced at several locations.Puja committees were asked to deploy volunteers according to the size of pandals, provide separate entry and exit points for male and female devotees and keep drums filled with sand and water for fire safety.Loudspeakers will not be permitted after 10pm, and puja committees and SHOs have been instructed to ensure compliance with Supreme Court guidelines.
